The multiple faces of our Chihuahuan Desert: Sky Island, fossil reef, and four of the highest peaks in Texas Driving Highway 652 west across Texas the horizon becomes a wall and it’s not hard to imagine what the first settlers must have thought as they crested these hills in horse-drawn wagons, seeing such a roadblock …
Discover Black Gap WMA, Texas
I’m happiest when I spend my nights around campfires. Hidden in the spotted hills of the desert. In complete control, and complete surrender. Crossing Maravillas Creek south of Marathon, and approaching Double Mills, the ranches exceed imagination. Temperature rises fifteen degrees as we descend in elevation. A welcome change to this January weather. With arm …
Resurrection Fern
Blown about by the wind. Finding life in desiccation. Not to be confused by the “true” Rose of Jericho, the “false” Rose of Jericho (S. lepidophylla) is native to the Chihuahuan desert and one of the most adaptive plants here. A wanderer, persistent and tough. Tenacious. S. lepidophylla in its dormant state Resurrection plants are …
Black River, New Mexico
Campfire throwing shadows across my horse. Dog rolling in the hay - dirty of course. Ever searching for that last buried bone. It’s early morning, the sun still asleep. We sit, listening to distant sounds of highway mixed with propane flames. Coffee brewing. Color slowly unrolls to the east as I prepare to ride and …
Secrets of the Desert
There are some places kept mostly secret. More vulnerable than others. Not as stable as they seem. At Big Bend National Park horses are allowed on all gravel roads, most trails, and backcountry across the desert. In a vast land occupied by many before us, there is more to discover than most know. But you …
Horseback Riding Dog Canyon, Big Bend National Park, Texas
Within minutes of entering from the west I am greeted by the deep curtains of the Chisos Mountains, highlighting the center of Big Bend. One of only three sky islands in Texas, and the only mountain range in our country completely encompassed by a national park. A lush oasis soaring above the surrounding desert. The …
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Why are Desert Sunsets so Colorful?
Cover me with your wildness Drench me in your thirstScratch me with your thorns Shower me with color Sunset over Kokernot Mesa, Brewster County, Texas Clean air, enhanced filtering, and longer wavelengths result in phenomenal sunsets over pristine desert areas. Big Bend National Park, Texas "And though their warm beauty is expected, not all sunsets …
Big Bend National Park Superintendent to speak at CDEC Annual Meeting on January 12
The Chisos Mountains from Tornillo Flat in Big Bend National Park, Texas NPS Photo by Erik Walker The virtual Annual Meeting of the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition (CDEC) will take place at 6:30pm MT on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. The meeting will include installation of new Board Members and all members of the CDEC group …
Moon over Desert
How do I write about you, sitting there out of reach? So full of yourself. An exhibitionist bold in your arrival. Wreaking havoc along the way. Your presence impossible to miss. Magnetic. Glowing. Witness to all, you are the moon. Photo Courtesy of Matt Walter, Alpine, Texas
In the arms of Elephant Mountain
It runs without warning, this love of mine. Carving its way as it goes. Thundering falls, then quiet. I chase it but cannot see it. View of Elephant Mountain andCalamity Creek. Alpine, Texas The mountains and desert of far west Texas are forbidding terrain. Yet perfect for the Desert Bighorn Sheep. Almost lost forever by …
Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition 